(CNN) – Air Force One, Marine One and the armored motorcade aside, President Barack Obama treated British Prime Minister David Cameron Tuesday to a typical American night out with the guys …and the Secret Service.

The two leaders headed out of Washington, DC to Dayton, Ohio to enjoy the beginning of March Madness, the NCAA college tournament.

As the two leaders ate hot dogs and chatted amiably, observers could see President Obama gesturing as he appeared to describe the game to the prime minister.

At a half time interview broadcast by CBS and TruTV (CNN and TruTV are owned by Time Warner), the president said he brought the prime minister to the game as a chance to see his very first basketball game but also "to see the great state of Ohio." Not said aloud but clear to all – a state that is likely to be a critical battleground in this year's presidential election.

The president said, "the heartland is what it's all about."

Prime Minister Cameron who was interviewed during the sports broadcast too described the game as "fast and furious" and confided the president told him he would help him set up his brackets. And the president said Cameron said he would teach him cricket.

Obama said that it is "terrific" that his alma mater Harvard earned a spot in the tournament this year but conceded "how far they go is a real question."

Cameron plugged the London summer Olympics inviting visitors and reporting all "is on time and on budget." Obama concluded the interview saying what really makes March Madness "wonderful" is that anybody, at least in the early contests, can attain his or her dream. And that's something the country can rally around.

soundoff(5 Responses)

I wonder how you complaining about inane events on a message board helps you be a productive member of society?

March 14, 2012 at 10:02 am |

judy

How can you get behind a party that doesn nothing but complaine and whine.? They do nothing usefull but continue to bash the president and his family. Apparently they do not see this as a tool to cement relations with one of our best allies. And as a way to highlit Ohio and the election. Good job Mr. President. Obama 2012 Let's vote for the adult.

March 14, 2012 at 11:56 am |

Howard

This poor excuse for a President, is ALL about posing, not leading ... and, if anybody has the audacity to call him on his lame leadership, an army of Obama stooges is waiting in the wings to pounce on you, as they are doing here. The American people are finally waking up to the deception, and are tired of the empty platitudes and lies coming from this President. As Lincoln said ... 'You can't fool all of the people all of the time' ... but, you can fool some of the people all of the time ... that's one reason why the Obama stooges, who constantly defend him, with a knee jerk reaction, are the real fools !!!

March 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm |

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OTR

Category: Thing

Some presidential movements are OTR, or off-the-record, to the public and press until the president's motorcade arrives at the previously undisclosed location.